Durham vs Cary: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Durham, North Carolina compare to Cary, North Carolina? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Durham is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 34% lower in Durham compared to Cary, while rent is 16% lower.
| Metric | Durham, NC | Cary, NC | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $316,600 | $477,400 | -33.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,296 | $1,538 | -15.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $74,710 | $125,317 | -40.4% |
| Per Capita Income | $44,012 | $61,933 | -28.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.5% | 4.5% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.0% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 284,094 | 174,880 | +62.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Durham
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Cary
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Durham costs $316,600 compared to $477,400 in Cary — a 34% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,296/mo in Durham vs $1,538/mo in Cary.
- Income: Median household income is $74,710 in Durham and $125,317 in Cary.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).